ASSOCIATED British Ports' petitions against the Able Marine Energy Park Development Consent Order have been found to be valid, a move described as a 'potentially disastrous blow' by the company behind it.

With a suggestion made that a compromise should be sought emerging from Westminster, executive chairman of Able UK, Peter Stephenson, has expressed his devastation at the decision he witnessed.

The issue, on which 4,000 jobs and the £450-million North Killingholme port proposal relies upon, will now be heard by a panel of six politicians, three MPs and three Lords, in the coming months.

It is another delay to the Humber's overall Energy Estuary ambition, and no resolution, either via dismissal of the appeal or compromise, loses the momentum of the Siemens deal, that landed last week.

As extensively reported, the issue focuses on the requirement to compulsory purchase 11-acres of land from ABP to fully develop the Government-backed super port, to serve the offshore wind industry.

In a statement, Able UK said: "The Humber’s hopes of becoming a world-class centre for the renewable energy industries have been dealt a potentially disastrous blow with the decision that objections lodged by ABP will now mean further lengthy delays in gaining the final go-ahead for Able Marine Energy Park…and the hopes of creating thousands of jobs."

The plans already have Government approval and Mr Stephenson warned that if the process results in backing ABP’s proposed changes to the plans then "AMEP, quite simply, will not happen".

He said: "However much ABP wish to spin the so-called ‘compromise’ the reality is that their actions would destroy the most important development in the area for decades. If they were to succeed in using an outdated Special Parliamentary Procedure to overturn or alter the Secretary of State’s approval for AMEP, they would be responsible for blocking a project which offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the economy of the entire region."

The procedure has recently been removed from the planning process, but Able's consent journey was already underway.

A spokesperson for ABP said: "ABP is pleased with today's decision that it is right for Parliament to review Able UK's plans for AMEP.

"We also welcome the view expressed by the committee chairman at today's hearing that both parties should work to reach a compromise as soon as possible.

"Special hearings in front of a Parliamentary Committee will now follow and ABP is extremely keen that swift progress is made.

"Today's decision is undoubtedly a positive step forward and can now pave the way for a compromise to be agreed that will successfully deliver both AMEP and ABP’s Immingham Western Deepwater Jetty without further delay.

"ABP's compromise proposal will not threaten any of the jobs Able UK hopes to create. Developing both projects will deliver the best result for the Humber economy as a whole and the largest number of jobs for the region.

"A compromise will also ensure the Port of Immingham, the UK’s largest port, will be able to continue to grow, increasing its vital contribution both to the economy and to national energy security.

"A compromise is the right outcome for the Humber and we urge Able UK to come to the table and work with us as quickly as possible."

Martin Vickers, constituency MP in his Cleethorpes and Immingham role, said: "I regret that there is now a further delay, however, this was the outcome that was expected. I, and my neighbouring MPs, will continue to do all we can to ensure a final decision is reached as soon as possible."

Prior to the three-hour hearing, which began in Westminster yesterday, Mr Vickers had sought assurances from Prime Minister David Cameron, his party leader, that Government would do all it can.

On the floor in Westminster, the former North East Lincolnshire councillor said: "Following last week’s excellent news of the Siemens development in Hull, it is vital that we move quickly with projects planned for the south bank of the Humber. Does my right hon. Friend share my view that all parties must work together to make sure that the Humber does indeed become the green energy capital of the UK?"

The Prime Minister, who flew into Humberside from The Hague to seal the deal in Hull, responded: "I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. The announcement by Siemens is a huge step forward, because I think it will bring an enormous amount of industry in its wake in terms of supply and component manufacture. We now need to make sure that the colleges are training up apprentices, and that UK Trade & Investment is working to attract other businesses to the area. As he knows, agreements are still needed in other parts of Humberside (sic) to make sure that all the necessary developments go ahead."

Of the response, Mr Vickers said: "It was a good answer. he acknowledged there were further agreements to be concluded. I do know the Government is doing what it can, trying to apply pressure, but it is essentially a commercial dispute, and the companies involved will pursue what they see is their best interests."

ABP put in a blanket objection and a compromise offer, which would have seen the proposed quay frontage of AMEP reduced by 22 per cent, to allow for Immingham Western Deepwater Jetty to be developed out of the 11-acre 'Killingholme Triangle' at the heart of the dispute.

Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell and North Lincolnshire Council are all in favour of full development of the site, as backed by Government in December and formerly submitted to Parliament in February.

The hearing was presided over by the Chairman of Committees in the House of Lords, Baron John Sewel CBE, and the Chairman of Ways and Means in the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle MP.

12 comments

The previous SPP mentioned at the hearing was for 'The Rookery South (Resource Recovery Facility)'. The 'Report on petitions against the Order' is available at http://tinyurl.com/pjmdf8m
The Introduction in paragraphs 7 & 8 details 'The Process after our Report'.
Paragraph 7 states ...
"On the date of our Report to the two Houses, a 21 day Resolution period will commence. If, during this period, either House were to resolve that the Order be annulled, the Order would become void, and no further proceedings on it could be taken in either House."
I would argue that the SPP is not in the Public Interest and is simply a blocking manoeuvre by a business competitor and should be annulled.
Also Paragraph 28 states
"In the meantime, no further orders of this type should be laid before Parliament until the statutory
framework has been amended to resolve these inconsistencies."
So why is this SSP even being heard after such advice from the Report Chairmen.
Judical Review here we come!
makes for interesting reading Order 2011 Report on petitions against the Order

For the 4 years from 2007/11 (in the lead up to the 2010 general and 2011 local elections) here on the south bank we were spoonfed, by the then Labour run NLC Leader cllr Mark Kirk, almost daily hype of all things Able UK, AMEP, South Humber Gateway and their inflated projections of 25,000 jobs for the south bank! Yet for months now and particularly of late; there hasn't been a whisper from the likes of Mark Kirk and Scunthorpe's so called community journos who gave a platform to the then NLC Liebour leadership hype AND all those 25,000 phantom jobs?! While the Grimsby Telegraph and Hull Daily Mail have been keeping their readership and communities informed and updated on the progress of all these renewables developments; so crucial to the regeneration and future prospects for the Humber region! Seemingly a few of North Lincolnshire's so called movers and shakers and their cronies are now having to keep their heads low. More so after cynically, prematurely and disproportionately raising Scunthorpe's and many more people's hopes, dreams and aspirations. IMHO

If the SPP is the problem why not get the Government to change the law to allow this National Infrastructure Project to be exempt from this procedure. Anyone know how to rush through an amendment to the Planning Act 2008 ?

No wonder this town has high unemployment, crime, Poverty, cos there is always someone that messing up the chance to give us a life line. The government needs to step in and do what is right to get this town back on track before it gets worse, if that's possible.

Sunny smile. You have hit some of the many nails on the head with your views, just want to add one more to the list, until we on the south bank get some politicians with any clout we will be forever a second thought in London.

I agree with Muffed on this one, such a small area of land to be in dispute over and ABP seem to have a vested interest in this plan not going ahead.
If I remember correctly there was a huge song and dance made when the Siemens development got the go ahead and that will only create 1,000 jobs, this proposal will create 4,000 jobs so shouldn't all concerned be supporting this too and not objecting?